Catching a Ride in the Heart of Korea: Your Ultimate Guide to Taxi in Seoul and Korea Taxi Apps

Seoul is a city that vibrates with life both day and night. As the sun sets, the metropolis transforms into a canvas of neon lights, each flicker inviting you to experience the thrill of its nocturnal offerings, and what better way to enjoy these delights than riding a taxi in Seoul? For the curious traveler, wandering on foot offers an intimate view of Seoul’s pulse, but for longer distances, taxis provide the perfect blend of convenience and local flavor.

Navigating Taxi in Seoul at Night: Services After Dark

With the subway’s final trains concluding their runs at the stroke of midnight and resuming in the early morning, late-night adventurers will find themselves relying on a taxi in Seoul to navigate the city’s after-hours. Fortunately, technology simplifies this necessity: a few taps on a smartphone, and a ride is on its way—any time, day or night.

Types of Taxi in Seoul

• Regular Taxis: Identified by their white, silver, or orange hues, these taxis are the everyday workhorses of the city streets. The initial charge is 4,800 won for the first 1.6 km, followed by increments of 100 won for each additional 131 meters or for every 30 seconds of waiting time.
• Deluxe Taxis: These premium rides stand out with their sleek black exteriors and a distinctive gold stripe. They offer a higher level of comfort and security for a starting fare of 7,000 won for the first 3 km, then 200 won for each subsequent 151 meters or 36 seconds of idle time.
• Venti(Van): Ideal for up to 5 passengers, offering a spacious interior for a comfortable ride. The fare is slightly more expensive, starting at 4,000 won for the first 1.5km and then 100 won for every 123m or every 40 seconds, with an additional fee known as the flexible rate. The flexible rate varies depending on the demand concentration and real-time traffic conditions, ranging between 0.8x to 2.0x

Note on Fares: 

• Charges round to the nearest 100 won. So, a fare displaying 3,020 won rounds down to 3,000 won, whereas one showing 4,080 won rounds up to 4,100 won.

• Additional night surcharges apply to taxi rides between 10 pm and 4 am. The fares increase by 20% from 10 pm to 11 pm, then by 40% from 11 pm to 2 am, and finally, by 20% from 2 am to 4 am.

Kakao Taxi: South Korea’s Premier Ride-Hailing Service

In a market where Uber’s name is synonymous with ride-hailing, South Korea turns to Kakao Taxi. Crafted by the technological wizards at Kakao Corp, this service has quickly become the go-to Korea taxi app in the country, outpacing the need for the international ubiquity of Uber.

• Accessibility: Kakao Taxi boasts a user-friendly interface in both Korean and English, ensuring that whether you’re a local or a tourist, you can secure a ride with minimal fuss. The app offers real-time tracking for peace of mind and an efficient journey.
• Payment Made Easy: Catering to convenience, users have the freedom to choose from a few payment options including a ‘Direct Payment’ when calling Kakao Taxi in addition to cash or International credit card payments upon reaching your destination. 
• Commitment to Safety: Kakao Taxi emphasizes rider safety with rigorous driver vetting. It also features ride-sharing details for added security, so you can inform loved ones about your travel status.

How to use Kakao Taxi

• Download the KakaoTalk app and grant the necessary permissions.

• Verify your phone number using the auto-filled code provided.
• On the homepage, tap the “My Info” icon to set your language preference.

• To book a ride, select the taxi icon, enter your locations, and choose from the listed available taxis.

• For payment, return to “My Info” and pick from options like Kakao T Point, cards, mobile billing, and PayPal.

Taxi in Seoul: How To Spot Available Taxis?

Remember, an available taxi sports a red light—not green. Keep an eye out for these signs indicating taxi status:

• 빈차 (Empty Car)
• 예약 (Reserved)
• 탑승 (Occupied)

Essential Korean Phrases for Taxi Travel

From requesting a destination to getting a receipt, here’s a handy list of phrases to enhance your taxi experience in Seoul.

• 직진하세요 (jikjin haseyo) = Please go straight.
• 좌회전 하세요 (jwa hweh jun haseyo) = Please turn left.
• 우회전 하세요 (woo hweh jun haseyo) = Please turn right.
• 이 주소로 가 주세요 (e jusolo ga juseyo) = Please take me to this address.
• 그냥 여기서 내릴게요 (geunyang yeogiseo naelilgeyo) = I’ll just get off here.
• 조금만 더 가 주세요 (jogeumman deo ga juseyo) = Please go a little more
• 얼마예요? (eol ma yeyo) = How much is it?
• 영수증 주세요 (yeongsujeung juseyo) = Please give me a receipt.

Passenger Rights for Taxi in Seoul

• Tipping is not customary; payment is typically in cash, card, or T-money card.
• Always ask for a receipt—it’s handy for tracking down lost items or reporting issues.
• Be aware that refusal of service can occur during peak hours, especially for short trips or if your destination is out of the driver’s way.

With these insights, your travels in Seoul are sure to be smooth, secure, and satisfying. Whether you’re hailing a cab on the vibrant streets or navigating the digital thoroughfares of Kakao Taxi.